Typewriter and the like



April 14, 1931. J. H. BARR TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Filed April 6, 1927 3Sheets-Sheet l BY WM 9 LSATTORNEY,

April 14, 1931. J. H. BARR TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 6, 1927 INVENTOR. rfoznflzarr z a 2 ZISATTORNEY.

April 14, 1931. J. H. BARR 1,800,854

TYPEWRITER AND THE LIKE Filed April 6, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 z/afi m.

lZlQSATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A JOHN H. BARB, OII'IHACA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BARB-MORSE CORPORATION, A.

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TYPEWBITER AND THE LIKE Application flled April6, 1927. Serial No. 181,542.

This invention relates to typewriters and the like, and moreparticularly to mechanism for shifting the ink-bearing ribbon into andout oi printing position at each operation of the printing or keymechanism. Heretotore, some diiiiculty has been experienced with ribbonshifting mechanisms owing to the fact that when printing mechanisms orkeys are operated very rapidly, there is frequently an imperfect placingof the ribbon which is particularly objectionable when ribbons havingtwo strips or hands of different color are used. In the latter case, theimperfect placing of the ribbon frequently causes a slight change incolor along the margin of the line being printed.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism formoving the ribbon into and out of printing position, with which theribbon will always be properly positioned for printing regardless of therate at which the type keys or printing devices are operated; and withwhich there will be no mixing of the colors of the two color ribbon byimproper placing of the ribbon.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve and simplifymechanism for moving the ribbon into and out of printing position, withwhich the ribbon will always be substantially at rest when a printingoperation occurs; with which the extent of movement of the ribbonvibrator may be easily and selectively varied for printing in diiferentcolors or through different bands of the ribbon; with which theresistance to operation of the keys will not be unduly increased; andwhich will be relatively simple, compact, durable and inexpensive.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription of an embodiment of the invention, and the novel featureswill be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a typewriter, andillustrating one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a part of the mechanism for moving thevibrator;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. l, but with the ribbonmoving mechanlsm set to print in a different color;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of another part of the mechanism for moving theribbon into and out of printing position;

Fig. 5 is another elevation of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 6 is an elevation similar to Fig. 2, but viewed from the oppositedirection from that of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the supportlng parts of some of themechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the typewriter or thelike may have a case segment 1 in which the type bars, not shown, aremounted in the usual manner for movement into and out of printingposition at a point above the upper edge of the segment. The segment 1may be mounted for case shifting movements, if desired, in any suitablemanner. A ribbon guide or vibrator 3 may be mounted upon the rear orunder face of the segment 1 in any suitable manner, for movement in aplane parallel to the plane of the segment into and out of a position nwhich it presents the ribbon in proper position for printing upon theusual platen, not shown. The mounting of the vibrator 3 upon the segmentis such as to permit of the case shifting movements of the segmentwithout movement of the vibrator. The segment may have the usual typeguide 4 for guiding the type bars accurately into printing position in amanner well known in the art.

The vibrator 3 may have 3. depending tongue 5 terminating in anangularly extending portion 6 carrying a pin 7. A suitable supportingmember or bracket 8, shown in perspective in Fig. 7, is mounted uponasuitable part (not shown) of the frame of the typewriter at a suitablepoint at the rear of the case segment, and serves as a support for someof the mechanism utilized in imparting movements to the vibrator 3. Alever 9 is pivotally connected by pin 10 to the bracket or support 8,and terminates at its free end in a slot 11 which embraces the pin 7, sothat as the lever 9 is oscillated about its plvot pm 10, it willreciprocate the vibrator 3. An arm 12 is pivotally connected by pin 13to the lever 9, and also is pivotally connected by a pin 14 to one endof a second arm 15. The free end of the second arm 15 is in turnconnected by a pin 16 to the free end of another arm or support 17 Thearm 17 terminates at its other end in a cylindrical boss 18 (Figs. 2 and5) which is pivoted upon a short stud 19, (Figs. 2 and 7), on thebracket or support 8.

From the foregoing it will be observed that if the arm 17 is heldstationary, a straightening of the toggle joint formed by the two arms12 and 15 will cause a movement of the lever 9 in a direction to shiftthe ribbon vibrator or guide 3 from the full to the dotted line positionin both Figs. 1 and 3. If the arm 17 is in the angular position shown inFig. 3, it will be noted that the arms 12 and 15 make a lesser anglewith one another, that is a more acute angle, than when arm 17 is in itsother position shown in Fig. 1. Consequently, a straightening of thetoggle joint formed by arms 12 an 15 from the relative position shown inF ig).03 will cause a greater movement of the rib n guide or vibrator 3than will be the case when the arm 17 is in its lower position, as shownin Fig. 1. The arm 15 extends alon one face of the bracket 8, and thearm 1 along the opposite face thereof, and the pin 16 carries thereonbetween the arms 15 and 17 a spacer washer20 which lies within the planeof the bracket and therefore by enagement with different sections 0 theracket limits the movement of the arm 17 in both directions, one limitof movement being shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and the other limit ofmovement being shown in Fig. 1.

A rod 21 (Fig. 5) is pivotally mounted at one end in a frame plate 22,and at its other end is received within and fitted to a socket of theboss 18 provided on the arm 17. The socket of the boss 18 is providedwith lateral extensions or slots 23 in which wings of the rod arereceived to couple the rod and boss for rotation together. The rod 21carries an operating arm 24 (Figs. Sand 5) which at its free end ispivotally connected by pin 25 to one end of a link 26, the other end ofthe link being pivotally connected by pin 27 to one end of a lever 28,which is pivotally mounted by pin 29 on any suitable part of the frame,such as adjacent the keyboard.

The free end of the lever 28 extends into a position convenientlyaccessible for manipulation, so that an operator may conveniently andeasily reach and grasp the lever 28 and operate it to vary the positionof the support or arm 17 and thus vary the throw which is given thevibrator 3 at. each operation of a key. When the ribbon is of the twocolor ty having longitudinal bands or sections 0 different color, thechange in throw of the ribbon will carry either one of its movement inFig. 1.

An actuating member in the form of. a lever.

30 may be pivoted at 31 to a part of the frame or support 8, and at itsfree end is pivotally connected by a pin 32 to one end of a link 33, theother end of the link being pivotally secured to the pivot pin 14 at thejoint or connection between the two arms 12 and 15 of the toggle. Anoperating rod 34 has a bent or angular end 35 which extends through anaperture in the lever 30 intermediate of its ends, the angular end afterpassing through the lever 30 being bent or extended angularly a secondtime to prevent disengagement of the rod 34 from the lever 30. The otherend of the rod 34 may be threaded to receive a nut 36 which is carriedby one end of a strap 37. The other end of the strap is bent around apin 38 carried by angular portion 39 of a universal bar 405)- The bar 40is pivotally mounted upon a bearing pin 41, in a position to be engagedby an end of each of a number of type keyoperated driver members 42,each driver member having a slotted end 43 which slides upon a support44 of the frame. Thus when any driver member 42 is reciprocated by theactuation of its particular type key, its slotted end will engage withthe universal bar 40'and.

same angular extent at each operation.

A suitable spring device (not shown) may. be connected to a suitablepart of the mechanism to return the universalbar 40 to its normalposition (shown in full lines in Fig. 4) when it is released by thedriver members, and when this bar 40 is returned to normal position, theactuator lever 30 will also be returned to its normal position shown infull lines in the drawing. The lever 30 in returning to normal positionwill break the toggle by moving the arms of the toggle into acuteangular positions Wlth respect to one another, as shown in full lines onthe drawing. When the lever 30 is actuated from any driver member 42, itwill move the toggle into a substantially straightened condition, asshown in dotted lines in the drawing, thus causin a movementofthevibrator 3 upwardly, an move the ribbon into rintin position. Thereturn of the togg e into broken condition, as shown in full lines inthe drawing, causes a retraction of the vibrator and ribbon fromprinting position in order that the printed line may be visible at alltimes when the type key is not de aressed.

The actuator prefera ly should extend parallel or nearly parallel to thelink 33 when 1 the toggle is in the broken or starting position and theactuator 30 and link 33 together form a to gle system or second toggle.Being fairly c ose to a straightened position, the linkage 30, 33 ortoggle system will at first move the to gle 12, 15 relatively slowly andsmooth y; but as the link 33 swings away fromdead center, it will movethe toggle 12, 15 with a rapidly increasing velocity until the tog le12, 15 is about half straightened out. A er that, though the pivot '14may con-. tinue to move rapidly, the actual movement of the vibratorslot llwill begin to slow down and approach zero as the toggle 12, 15straightens out, so that the vibrator will be gradually brought to adefinite, smooth stop without overtravel regardless of slight variationsinthe travel of the actuator 30. With high speed typewriting a properlycontrolled acceleration and deceleration of the vibrator becomesimportant as a factor in reducing the shock or impact on the finger tipsof the operator.

lit will be, further noted that in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention the stud 19 which pivotally supports the arm 17, lies in closeproximity to a theoretical line joining the pivot pin 14 at the joint ofthe toggle with the pivot 31 of the actuator lever when the toggle 'isin straightened condition. In the operation of the device, the minimumthrow for the vibrator will usually be utilized for the black or othercolor most commonly in use, since less load is placed upon the keys ineffecting the shorter ribbon movements. Thus the normal position of theparts for the color most commonly in use will be as shown in Fig. 1. Atthat time the support 17 is shifted downwardly as far as possible, so asto provide the maximum angle between the arms of the toggle. \Vhen anykey is operated, the universal bar 40 will be operated, and the togglewill be straightened, thus shifting the parts from the full to thedotted line position in Fig. 1. YVhen the type key is released, theparts will return to the full line position.-

If one desires to change the color in which the ribbon will print or touse another band of the ribbon for printing purposes, it is merelynecessary to shift the lever 28 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to theposition shown in Fig. 3. This movement of the lever 28 causes a rockingof the support or arm 17 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to theposition shown in Figs. 2, 3 and -6. During this movement, the anglebetween the arms of the toggle will be decreased, and this decrease willoccur by movement of the 'arm 15 about the pin 14 at the joint betweenthe arms of the toggle, with very little resulting movement oft e otherarm 12 of the toggle. The ribbon will remain in the retracted positionuntil a type key is actuated, and then by actuation of the type ke thetoggle-will be straightened as explaine before During suchstraightening, the throw or extent of movement now given the ribbon andvibrator will be greater than before, because the pivots of the outerends of the arms of the toggle were brought nearer together by theshifting of the lever 28. Since the pivot pin 16 of the arm. 15 remainsrelatively fixed while the toggle is be.- ing straightened, all of themovement due to the straightening of the toggle will therefore be givento the pivot pin 13 of the toggle, and through it transmitted to thevibrator and ribbon.

It will be obvious that various changes in the details, which have beenherein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of theinvention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principleand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. p

I claimras my invention 1. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbonvibrator mounted for movement to carry its ribbon into and out ofprintin position, an actuating member for said vi rator, and amechanical driving connection comprising a plurality of toggle systemsbetween said member and vibrator one system connected to and operatingthe other, each system being operable between a broken position and anapproximately straight line position and moving out of straight lineposition as the other moves towards its strai ht line position forcausing a rapid rate 0 travel of the vibrator during the middle portionof its motion, said rate being gradually reduced toward either end ofthe vibrators motion, whereby the vibrator may be started without shockand whereby variations in its final position dueto variations in thetravel of the actuating member will be minimized.

2. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of printing position, an actuatingmember for said vibrator, and a mechanical drivingconnection comprisinga plurality of toggle systems between said member and vibrator, onesystem connected to and operating the other, each system being operablebetween a broken position and an approximately straight line positionand moving out of straight line position as the other moves towards itsstraight line position whereby said connection will transmit the motionof the actuating member to the vibrator with variable velocity, saidvelocity startinggradually from zero, mcreasing continually to a maxlmumin the middle portion of the stroke and continually decelerating to zerotoward the end of the stroke, whereby the vibrator will start withoutshock and stop definitely irrespective of slight variations in thelength of stroke of-the actuating member. I

. 3. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and outof printing position, an actuatingmember, and driving mechanism comprising toggle links forming two togglecouples connected to actuate one another, and interposed between saidmember and vibrator, the couple connected to said vibrator moving intoapproximately straightened position when the vibrator is shifted toplace the ribbon in printing position, and the other couple being thenin its broken position and approaching straightened posit/ion as theithe vibrator will be brought to a stop gently.

4. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of printing position, means including ato gle couple for causing movement of said viirator into and out ofprinting position when the toggle couple -is straightened and brokenrespectively and a second (toggle couple, connected to the first togglecouple for straightening and breaking it and thus causing movements ofthe vibrator into and out of printing position each of said couplesbeing broken when the other couple is in straightened: position.

5. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of printin position, means including atoggle couple or causing movement of said vibrator into and out ofprinting position when the toggle couple is straightened and brokenrespectively, means connected to the toggle element for straighteningand breaking it and thus causing movements of the vibrator into and outof printing position, said last named means including another togglecouple connected to the first toggle couple at its joint, and keyactuated means connected to said another to gle couple for causingmovements thereo to straighten or break the first toggle couple bybreaking and straightening movements respectively of the second togglecouple.

6. In a typewriter or the like, a llbbOIl vibrator inounted for movementto itsribbon into and out of rintin 'tl means including a toggle c uplesaid vibrator, with t e toggle couple nor.- mally in a broken position,and operable to move the vibrator into printing position when the tog lecouple isstraighte'ned, and a key actuate approximately dea centerposition connected to the first toggle couple for moving the latter intoandout of straightened position.

7. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its,

ribbon into and out of printing position, means including-a togglecouple connected to said vibrator, withthe' toggle couple nor,- mally ina broken position, and operable to move, the vibrator into printingposition when the toggle couple is straightened, a key actuated secondtoggle couple connected to said .first toggle couple for moving thelatter into and opt of straightened position, and selectively operablemeans for varying the angle between the members of the first togglecouple when said couple is in broken position and without shifting saidvibrator,

whereby the extentof each movement of the second toggle couple, normallyin vibrator-caused by straightening ofthe first toggle couple may beselectively varied. 1 8. In a typewriter orthe like, a ribbon vibratormounted for movement to carry its ribbon into andout'of printingposition, a toggle couple-including two pivotally connected arms, meansfor connecting one of said arms to said vibrator, means for securing thefree end of the other arm of said couple against undesired movement, anda second toggle couple normally ap roximately folded and connected tosaid rst toggle couple for shifting it into straightened position assaid second couple unfolds, whereby the ."straightening and breaking ofthe first toggle couple, will move the vibrator into and out of printingposition.

9. Ina typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movement tocarry its ribbon into and out of printing position, a

normally broken toggle couple including two pivotally connected arms,means ,for connecting one of said arms to said vibrator, means forsecuring the free end of the other arm of said couple against undesiredmovement, and a second toggle couple, connected to said first togglecouple for shifting it into and out of straightened position, wherebythestraightening and breaking of the first toggle'couple will move thevibrator into and out of printing position, said securing means beingadjustable to vary the angle between the arms of the first toggle couplewhen that toggle couple is broken, whereby the. extent of III movementof the vibrator due to the straightfree end of one of said arms to saidvibrator;i

means for pivotally supporting the free en of the other arm of sandtoggle, a pivoted actuating member, a link pivotally connected to saidmember and to said toggle, said link and member forming a tog e systemapproaching an approximate ead center osition while said toggle isbroken, and ey actuated means connected to said actuating member forimparting angular movement thereto in a manner to straighten or breakthe toggle and thus cause a movement of the vibrator to carry its ribboninto and out of printing position.

11. In a, typewriter or the hke, a rlbbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of printing position, a toggleincluding a pair of arms pivotally connected together, means forconnecting the free end of one of said arms to said vibrator, means forpivotally supporting the free end of the other arm of sa1d-toggle, apivoted actuating member, a link pivotally connected to said member andto said to gle, said link and member forming a to g e system approachingan approximate ead center position while said toggle is broken, and keyactuated means connected to said actuating member for imparting angularmovement thereto in a manner to straighten or break the toggle and thuscause a movement of the vibrator to carry its ribbon into and out ofprinting position, said means for pivotally mounting an arm of thetoggle being selectively shiftable in a manner to vary thenormal anglebetween the arms of the toggle when said actuating member is at onelimit of its movement, whereby the extent of movement of the vibratorcaused by straightening of the toggle element may be varied by amovement of said means for pivotally mounting an arm of the toggleelement.

12. In atypewriter or the like, a rlbbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry 1ts ribbon into and out of printing pomtion, a support, an armpivotally connected to sa1d support and in turn connected to sa1dvibrator, a toggle including a pan of arms 1votally connected with oneanother, the rec end of one of the arms of said toggle being connectedto said arm, a second arm pivotallv mounted on said support andpivotally connected at its free end to the free end of the other arm ofsaid toggle,,operating means connected to said second arm for moving itangularly in a manner to vary the angle between the arms of said togglewhen sa1d vibrator is at one limit of its movement, and a second toggleconnected to the first toggle for straightening or breaking the same,and thereby causing a movement of sa1d vibrator, one of said togglesbreaking while the other is moving towards dead center position,

the movement of said second arm throu h its variation of the initialangle between t e arms of the element varying the extent of movementgiven said vibrator upon the straightening of the first toggle.

13. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of rinting position, a

.support, an arm pivotal y connected to said support and in turnconnected to said vibrator, a toggle including a pair of arms pivotallyconnected with one another, the free end of one of the arms of saidtoggle being connected to said arm, a second arm ivotally mounted onsaid support and pivotally connected at its free end to the free end ofthe other arm of said tog le, operating means connected to said seconarm for moving it angularly in a manner to vary the angle between thearms of said toggle when said vibrator is at one limit of its movement,and means connected to said toggle for straightening or breaking thesame, and thereby causing a movement of said vibrator, the movement ofsaid second "arm through its variation of the initial angle between thearms of the toggle varying the extent of movement given said vibratorupon the straightening of said toggle, said means connected to thetoggle for operating the same including an arm also ivotally mounted onsaid support and a link connecting the free end of said arm to saidtoggle to form a toggle system, and key operated means connected to saidlast mentioned pivoted arm.

14.- In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its ribbon into and out of rinting position, a toggle includinga air of arms pivotally connected to one anot er, means connecting thefree end of one of said arms to said vibrator, a support pivotallyconnected to the free end of t e other of sa1d arms and in turnpivotally mounted, an actuating member, a link ivotally connected tosaid actuating memr and to said to gle at the connection between thearms o said toggle, means connected to said actuating member foroscillating the same, and thereby causing a straightening or breaking ofsaid toggle and thus movements of said vibrator, the movement of saidpivotal support varying the initial angle between the arms of saidtoggle when the latter is broken, whereby the extent of movement giventhe vibrator by the strai htening of the toggle will vary with the anguar position of said pivotal support, the connection between the arms ofsaid toggle being in close proximity to a line connecting the pivotalaxes of said actuating member and said pivotal support when the toggleis in straightened position in all angular positions of said pivotalsupport.

15. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator, key actuated meansfor moving-said vibrator, means for controllin theextent of' ivotallymounting said arm,-said arm having a socket in proximity to the axisabout which it moves, a rod pivotally mounted at one end in said frameand fitted at its other end in said socket, an arm secured to said rod,means including alink connected to said last mentioned arm for causingmovements thereof in a manner to control the extent of movement of thevibrator at each operation of said key actuated means.

16. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto-carry its ribbon into and out of printing position, a toggleincluding two pivotally connected arms, means for connecting one of saidarms to said vibrator, means for securing the free end of the other armof said toggle against undesired movement, wherebystrai htening andbreaking of the toggle will shi the vibrator into and out of printingposition, a pivoted actuator arm extending to and beyond the jointbetween the toggle arms when the toggle is broken, a link pivotallyconnected to said joint and to said actuator arm at a point beyond saidjoint, and extending generally in the direction of said one of the armswhen the toggle is broken, and means for moving said securing means tovary the angle between said toggle arms when the toggle is broken, witha minimum movement of said one of the arms, whereby the extent ofmovement given the ribbon vibrator at each straightening and breaking ofthe toggle will be varied with variations in the position of saidsecuring means.

17. In a typewriter or the like, the ribbon vibrator mounted formovement to carry its ribbon into and out of printin position, anactuating member, and a varia le speed connecting mechanism betweenthem, said connecting mechanism comprising members hav ing a pluralityof successively assumed dead center positions and being arranged totravel from proximity of one dead center position to the other deadcenter position during the stroke of the actuating member whereby thevibrator may be accelerated and decelerated without shock.

18. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator mounted for movementto carry its .ribbon into and out of 'printin position, an actuatingmember, and a varia le speed con necting mechanism between them, saidconnecting mechanism comprising members having a plurality ofsuccessively assumed dead center positions and being arranged to travelfrom proximity of one dead center position to the other dead centerposition during the stroke of the actuating member whereby the vibratormay be accelerated and decelerated without shock, and selectivelyoperable means for adjusting said connectmg mechanism to vary the extentof the movement of the vibrator at each operation of said member.

19. In a tQeWriter or the like, a ribbon vibrator m'ova' le to carry itsribbon into and out of printing position, a folded tog le connected tosaid vi rator for actuating t e same nto and out of printing position asthe toggle is moved toward and from straightened position respectivel asecond toggle connected to the-first toggle or actuating the lattertoward and from straightened osition, said second toggle beingnormallyolded and unfolding as 1t operates the first toggle towards straightenedposition, whereby said vibrator may be operated with a smooth start anda smooth definite finish without overtravel, and means for operatingsaid second toggle.

20. In a typewriter or the like, a ribbon'vibrator movable to carry itsribbon into and out of printingposition, a folded tog le con nected tosaid v rator for actuating t e same nto and out of printing position asthe toggle is moved toward and from strai htened position respectively,a normally to ded second toggle connected at one end to the first togglefor actuating the latter toward and from stra ghtened position, saidsecond toggle unfold ngas it moves the first toggle towards strai htenedposition, whereby said vibrator may be operated with a smooth start, anda smooth definite finish without overtravel, and means for operatingsaid second toggle element.

In testimony to the foregoing I hereto sign my name.

J OHN- H. BARR.

